elpais.com
Colombian Trans Woman Fights for Rights of Older Transgender People
In Bogotá, Colombia, 61-year-old Yolanda Torres, a trans woman, is spearheading a movement to improve the lives of older transgender people who face high rates of violence (34 transfeminicidios in 2024) and lack access to basic rights, advocating for housing, healthcare, and employment.
- What potential long-term impacts could Yolanda Torres's activism have on the lives of older transgender people in Colombia and beyond?
- Torres's initiative to form a collective of older transgender people in Colombia could significantly impact future policies and social attitudes. By creating a visible and organized group, she is bringing attention to the unique challenges faced by this population. Her success may influence other countries to address the similar systemic issues facing older transgender people.
- What are the most significant challenges faced by older transgender people in Colombia, and what immediate actions are needed to address them?
- Yolanda Torres, a 61-year-old trans woman in Bogotá, Colombia, is challenging societal norms and advocating for the rights of older transgender people. She highlights the extremely high rates of violence against transgender individuals in Colombia—34 transfeminicidios in 2024 alone—and the lack of government support for their basic needs. Her activism focuses on securing housing, healthcare, and employment for this marginalized group.
- How does Yolanda Torres's personal experience illuminate the broader societal issues faced by transgender individuals in Colombia, and what historical context is relevant?
- Torres's experience reflects a broader pattern of discrimination and violence against transgender people in Colombia, particularly transgender women. The limited life expectancy for transgender individuals, coupled with systemic issues like poverty and lack of access to basic rights, underscores the urgent need for comprehensive governmental action. Her efforts to create a support group and advocate for policy changes aim to address these systemic issues.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the narrative around Yolanda Torres's personal story and activism, which is effective in humanizing the issue. However, this focus might inadvertently overshadow the broader systemic issues impacting the entire transgender elderly population in Colombia. While the systemic issues are mentioned, the emphasis is on Yolanda's personal struggle and success.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective, avoiding sensationalism while conveying the gravity of the situation. Words like "precarious," "discrimination," and "violence" accurately reflect the challenges faced, without being overly inflammatory.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the experiences of Yolanda Torres and other older transgender individuals in Colombia, but it omits discussion of potential support systems or organizations besides those mentioned, such as religious or community groups that might provide aid. There is also no mention of governmental efforts, beyond the lack thereof, to support this population. This omission limits the scope of solutions presented.
Gender Bias
The article uses gender-neutral language when referring to transgender individuals, except when quoting Yolanda's description of her peers. The article also highlights the challenges faced by transgender women in old age, but does not specifically ignore the issues faced by transgender men. The examples provided are balanced.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the struggle of transgender adults in Colombia, facing violence, poverty, and discrimination. Yolanda Torres